Review: Psoriasis May Increase Infection Risk After Hip Arthroplasty

Key Takeaways

• Psoriasis was associated infection risk following total hip arthroplasty, while evidence for total knee arthroplasty remains mixed, a recent systematic review indicated.

• There significant differences in revision rates or wound complications in psoriasis patients undergoing joint replacement.

• The authors said further high-quality studies are needed to clarify risks and guide management.

Patients with psoriasis undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA) may face a higher risk of postoperative infection, with evidence regarding total knee arthroplasty (TKA) outcomes remaining inconclusive, according to a new systematic review, 

Following PRISMA guidelines, researchers for the review screened 359 studies, choosing seven that met inclusion criteria. Two focused on THA, three on TKA, and two examined both procedures.

According to the pooled data, psoriasis was associated with increased infection risk after THA vs. non-psoriasis patients. Psoriasis was not associated with an observed increase in the rate of revisions following either THA or TKA, and two studies reported no differences in wound complications among TKA patients with psoriasis versus controls.

“This systematic review underscores the importance of considering post-surgical complications in psoriasis patients undergoing either a THA or TKA,” the authors wrote. “However, lack of research makes it difficult to generalize findings. Psoriasis is an important factor to consider for surgical outcomes, but further research is needed to clarify risks and optimize care for patients.”

Source: Chin R, et al. Journal of Orthopaedics. 2025. doi:10.1016/j.jor.2025.08.007